[vilzrod]

Well ...I'm lookin at Gardner Wescott or Harley chrome or???... I want to do the swap of losing the OEM silver bolts...I wanted to do the plugs that go into the new bolts...Anyone have any thought as the plugs are chrome if SS replacement bolts would look odd????...Does one NEED to go with chrome bolts??? to use the chrome plugs...MAybe a highly poished SS bolt..

Also replacement...If anyone has done this is the 1 out 1 in the policy???...Don't want to get any leaks....I'm sure all of us here have been playing this tough our heads :hitfan:

 

[Vinny]

I myself,If I was going to replace the bolts I would go with a high quality stainless bolt.I wouldn't care if they were from the hardware store,or a from an industrial catalog,because I would just take them to work and polish them.

Stainless won't rust.
Chrome will rust.

 

[Cali-V]

vrodvinny:
How can I determine the quality of SS bolts?

 

[Kennedy]

vrodvinny:
How can I determine the quality of SS bolts?

Any stainless bolt that carries a significant load should be A4 grade (aka 316) stainless, it's the only SS that's rated at grade 8.8.

I got my stainless kit from alloyboltz.com. Call Russel up, tell em' I sent ya. They're the only vendor I've found that offer a V-rod kit in A4 stainless steel.
I've replaced almost everything I can take an allen wrench to on my V-rod. I just call him up, tell him the size I need, and he sends the bolts out pronto... Vet nice guy to deal with.

Also, be aware, the more you polish a stainless bolt, the more you weaken it. Many vendors polish the knurls off thier hex bolts. This is a big no no, as most of these kits are a softer A2 steel. You'll end up weakening the bolt if it's over polished.

 

[Vinny]

What he said^

 

[vroddrew]

Once you've decided to go with "brighter" looking fasteners, there are a few things to consider.

Generally speaking, if you live near the ocean or in a very humid climate, I'd stay away from the chrome fasteners. They tend to pick up surface rust just looking at them - I usually use surgical gloves or mechanics gloves when installing them, simply because the oil on my fingertips hastens the corrosion. If its fairly dry where you live, you like the look, and are prepared to spend a little time periodically buffing them up - then the chrome looks great.

Whatever way you go, I'd recommend you buy them only from a reputable motorcycle supplier.

I've replaced most of the fasteners on the engine - and haven't had any problems with leaks. You DO need to follow "one out, one in" procedure, and follow the star pattern shown in the shop manual. You also need a tube of loctite and a good torque wrench. A set of long-shaft, ball-end hex sockets would be good too - especially for the ones that are difficult to get at.

 

[gthong]

I bought a very complete set of garner westcott bolts.washer, etc. (like 93 bolts!!!) off e bay for 86.00 delivered. they were nicely divided and shrinkwrapped as to where the go. It was billed as an "engine kit" It had EVERY SINGLE bolt, spacer, washer on the engine.... even the ones the hold the oil pan on. I stopped installing long ago when I ran out of bolts you could actually see.... they do make a difference in apperance... and I have LOTs left over....they would have been 150.00 + at a stealer